The carrier is now postponing inaugurating the new service until at least October 2010.

"In the coming weeks, the airline will release a new Orlando start date in the fourth quarter of 2010," the carrier says in a statement.

Virgin America previously said it was taking delivery of six Airbus narrowbodies this year and three in the first quarter of 2011.

The carrier in a statement characterises the delivery delay as "unforeseen". Supplying further explanation, a Virgin America spokeswoman says the delay was "caused by a slip in scheduled deliveries from one of our lessor partners".

Plans by Virgin America to inaugurate new transborder service from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Toronto on 23 June appear unchanged.